Foreword

Organ and tissue donation and transplantation is an incredible
development in modern healthcare. It is genuinely life-changing and
one of the greatest gifts a person can give. Organ and tissue
donation saves and improves lives. It allows people to lead full
and happy lives, return to work, and contribute to society.

While the
NHS in Scotland,
with the amazing help of donors and their families, has already
achieved a huge amount in increasing numbers of organ and tissue
donors, we need to continue doing more in order to help reduce the
numbers of people in Scotland waiting for transplants or dying
waiting.

Much work is already in progress to help with this - we are
already delivering meaningful improvements as a result of our
Donation and Transplantation Plan for Scotland, 2013-2020.
However, this consultation looks at two ways we could potentially
increase numbers of deceased organ and tissue donors - by seeking
to increase numbers of referrals and by seeking to increase the
number of times when donation is 'authorised' to proceed. In
particular, the Scottish Government has agreed to consider the
introduction of an opt out system of donation if this can be
developed in a way which will do no harm to trust in the
NHS or to the
safety of transplantation. We will also be monitoring the progress
in Wales carefully to learn lessons from their experience of
introducing a new opt out system.

Our presumption is in favour of taking an opt out system forward
as part of a long-term process of culture change to encourage
people to support donation. However, I am keen to hear your views
on these proposals and others in this consultation so I would
encourage you to respond to the questions we raise. Whatever the
outcome of this consultation, rest assured the Scottish Government
will continue to work both within Scotland and with our partners
across the
UK to increase organ and
tissue donation and to allow more people to benefit from
life-saving or life-changing transplants.